Camperdown Community House

We headed out to dairy country last week. The team at Camperdown Community House have been doing a wonderful job supporting their community through COVID-19.

A Thank You from Louise

Louise wanted to say thanks for your support. Please watch her special message below.

School Spotlight: Rosamond School

Located in Braybrook in Melbourne’s west, Rosamond School provide early, primary, secondary and post compulsory education for special needs students aged five to 18 years. With a focus on individual learning, the school’s dedicated team of teachers and education support staff work collaboratively with stakeholders in each child’s network to develop goals which are achievable, purposeful, and challenging, allowing students to reach to their full potential in a supportive learning environment.

Rosamond School offers a daily Breakfast Club at 8.45am, inviting students from all year levels to come together and enjoy a healthy breakfast in a friendly and inclusive environment. Program Coordinator, Caitlyn O’Callaghan, says the program has been extremely beneficial in providing students a safe space to communicate with both teachers, and other students, while getting a healthy start to the day.

“All students are welcome at Breakfast Club. Students appear to be more settled throughout the day after having breakfast. We’ve also noticed improved concentration levels. Breakfast Club also gives students a safe place to talk to teachers and education support staff. We feel that they tend to open up a lot more within the informal environment Breakfast Club offers. We’ve also noticed improved social skills and connections among those students that come along. It provides a great opportunity for the younger students to interact and learn from others in higher year levels.”

Caitlyn says while the program has been vital to improved learning and focus, it also offers students the opportunity to learn life skills such as manners, patience and how to interact with others in a common eating area, as well as contributing to the school’s vocational learning program. Click here to read about how Rosamond School involve their secondary students as part of vocational learning.

“A small number of Secondary students assist with the running of the program and thrive off the responsibility. It is viewed by both the program and the students as a ‘work experience’ placement. They are involved with preparing the food, cleaning up, supervising, assisting students at the table and modeling correct behavior.”

When asked how the school encourages senior students to facilitate the program, Caitlyn says that “students involved receive acknowledgement in the form of being asked to participate and assist in ‘special events’ being run by the kitchen. As a reward, they are able to prepare themselves a meal or something to eat at the end of each shift. We also celebrate their hard work by acknowledging them in the school magazine.”

While Breakfast Club continues to operate daily, Caitlyn says it has been challenging to re-engage students who have returned to on-campus learning.

“Many families are still working from home and we don’t have the same level of students arriving at school early. However, we are slowly engaging students back into the routine and availability of Breakfast Club. We will be re-evaluating our programs (in 2021) and it is the school’s intention to set up a more structured program at lunch for students to eat in the kitchen during lunchtime. We’d also like to distribute more than just fruit to the classrooms throughout the day, such as fruit cups and milk.”

Thank you for your support throughout 2020!

Eaglehawk Community House

Tracey and the team Eaglehawk Community House Inc worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to help people in need within their community and the surrounding areas in Bendigo. We are proud to support such a dedicated team.

Breaking the cycle of hunger: The Hunger Ride 2020

The Hunger Ride returned to Victoria’s High Country on Saturday 28 November with Foodbank Victoria Ambassador, Hamish Blake, leading the pack.

With demand for food relief increasing, the 172km corporate cycle challenge raises critical funds to feed vulnerable Victorian children and their families.

Riders from corporate teams including Peters Ice Cream, Port of Melbourne, Westgate Tunnel Project, Asahi Beverages, NEC, GT &JA Jones Engineering joined Foodbank Victoria and event sponsor Montague CROC EGGS™ Australian Plums to take on the challenge – collectively raising more than $120,000 for those in need.

Also donning the lycra was Hunger Ride ambassador and 2003 Tour de France green jersey winner, Baden Cooke; AFL sporting legend, Max Gawn; and renowned cyclist commentator, Matthew Keenan.

“Signing up to a 172km bike ride seems a strange thing to do when you haven’t been allowed to ride more than 5kms from home for the last few months, but the Hunger Ride isn’t any old bike ride. It’s one of the main fundraising events for Foodbank Victoria who have been incredible helping people in this especially tough year,” said Hamish Blake, Foodbank Victoria ambassador.

Departing Beechworth, the route includes a difficult climb over Mt Buffalo and Mt Stanley, traversing the beautiful yet challenging terrain of North East Victoria.

“After a devasting year, we know now more than ever Victorians are in need. Many hardworking families are finding themselves in a position they never anticipated, unable to put food on the table. Although we’re currently working to provide 1.2 million meals monthly to Victorians in need, demand continues to outstrip supply,” said Dave McNamara, Foodbank Victoria CEO.

“It’s a tough and challenging ride, but every kilometre will help us raise much needed funds. We’re able to turn every dollar donated into two meals for struggling Victorians and their families,” Mr McNamara continued.

While the event was a huge success, our work is far from done. That’s why we’re gearing up for the Recovery Ride in April 2021 – a brand new, family-friendly cycling event through East Gippsland’s historic rail trails. You can read more about the event here!

Kahli’s Story

Kahli is a single mum to twin boys Sebastian and Mason, who lost her part-time job earlier this year due to the impact of COVID-19.

For her – and so many other Victorians that have lost their jobs this year – 2020 has been almost unbearable. This Christmas is going to add even more pressure and anxiety for Kahli who, without a little bit of help, may have to tell the young boys that “Santa isn’t able to come out this year.”

Sadly, Kahli’s story is not unique. COVID-19 has placed strain and financial distress on many Victorians who will be struggling to feed their families this Christmas.

But with your support, we can give a happier Christmas to the many Victorian kids and their families who are doing it tough.

If you’d like to help, you can make an online donation or check out our Happy Christmas Gift Vouchers!

Bendigo Family & Financial Services

The team at Bendigo Family and Financial Services understand just how hard it is to knock on the door and ask for food relief. They’ve shared a little of their insights with us today and highlighted how Foodbank Victoria helps.

Kingdom Generation Ministries

Located in Bendigo, Kingdom Ministries are a small-scale charity who have been supporting the local community for sixteen years. We recently met with Graeme and wife Lois, to hear about their work and how our food and groceries are making a vital impact to families and individuals in the Bendigo community.